How Physical Therapy Can Help Tennis Elbow Forearm Pain
How Physical Therapy Can Help Tennis Elbow Forearm Pain

How Physical Therapy Can Help Tennis Elbow Forearm Pain

How Physical Therapy Can Help Tennis Elbow Forearm Pain

Do you struggle with a nagging ache on the outside of your elbow that flares up when you grip or lift? Does turning a doorknob or shaking someone’s hand send a jolt of pain through your forearm? If so, you might be experiencing tennis elbow, a common condition that affects many people, even those who never pick up a racquet.

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse injury that affects the tendons that join the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. These muscles and tendons are responsible for extending your wrist and fingers. Repetitive motions, like those used in tennis, can cause tiny tears and inflammation in these tendons, leading to pain and weakness.

What Else Can Cause Tennis Elbow?

While tennis players are susceptible, anyone who performs repetitive arm and hand motions can develop tennis elbow. This includes:

Occupational Hazards

Painters, plumbers, carpenters, and those who use computers extensively are at increased risk.

Recreational Activities

Gardening, knitting, and playing musical instruments can also contribute.

Poor Technique

Incorrect form during sports or other activities can put excessive strain on the elbow.

The primary symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow, which may radiate down the forearm. Other symptoms include:

  • Weakness in grip strength
  • Stiffness in the elbow
  • Pain when lifting or carrying objects
  • Increased pain with wrist and finger extension

Risk factors for developing tennis elbow include:

  • Age (most common in people aged 30-50)
  • Occupation involving repetitive arm movements
  • Certain sports activities

How Physical Therapy With Atrium Physical Therapy Can Help

Physical therapy is a highly effective treatment for tennis elbow, often helping individuals avoid surgery or injections. Our skilled physical therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to get to the root of your issues and develop a personalized plan to address your specific needs, which may include:

Pain Management

Hands-on techniques to release muscle tension and improve joint mobility.

Restore Mobility

Specialized exercises and stretches designed to restore and improve range of motion in the forearm and elbow joints and the muscles surrounding these joints.

Strengthening Exercises

Strengthening exercises are vital for addressing the root cause of elbow pain. We’ll teach you how to build the muscles in your forearm to help prevent future injuries. Eccentric exercises are particularly effective and involve slowly lengthening the muscles while they’re under tension.

Prevention Strategies

  • Proper Technique: If you play tennis or other racquet sports, our PTs can help ensure you have the proper form and technique to minimize stress on your elbow.
  • Warm-up and Cool-down: Always warm up before engaging in any activity and cool down afterward to improve mobility and reduce the risk of injury.

Don’t let tennis elbow keep you from the activities you enjoy. Call us today to schedule an appointment and start your recovery!

  • Dynamic Warm-Up Before the Turkey Trot: If you’re planning a Thanksgiving morning run or family games, forget old-school stretching. Use a dynamic warm-up to prep your muscles and boost your range of motion.
  • Text Neck Prevention: As we catch up on social media or text friends and family Thanksgiving wishes, ā€œtext neckā€ can be a real issue. Counteract this by sitting tall or not at all and doing neck stretches every hour.
  • Mindfulness Through Movement: Instead of sitting to meditate or relax, try combining mindfulness with gentle movements like Tai Chi or a light stroll through the neighborhood. 

Embrace your health by prioritizing your physical and mental well-being to ensure you have the best Thanksgiving yet!

November Word Scramble

Enjoy This Seasonal Recipe!

Roasted Chicken with Meyer Lemons & Potatoes

Enjoy the comforting flavors of this Roasted Chicken with Meyer Lemons & Potatoes — a perfect blend of juicy chicken, zesty citrus, and tender roasted potatoes. It’s a simple yet elegant dish that brings warmth and brightness to any fall dinner table.

  • 1 whole chicken left at room temperature for 30 minutes, giblets reserved for another use
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt & ground pepper
  • 4 Meyer lemons, halved
  • 2 lbs baby potatoes, halved
  • 2 tbsp thyme leaves, plus sprigs for garnish

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange chicken on a rimmed baking sheet. Rub with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Tie legs with twine and transfer to middle rack. Roast, turning once, until golden brown and a thermometer inserted in thigh reads 165 degrees, about 50 minutes. Remove and let stand 15 minutes before serving. Pour pan juices into a small container and skim fat. While chicken roasts, toss lemons and potatoes with remaining oil and thyme in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and transfer to lower rack. Roast, flipping occasionally, until tender and golden brown, about 40 minutes. Serve with chicken and pan juices.

Exercise of the Month

TOWEL PULL

Sit or stand tall and place a rolled towel behind your head, holding each end with your hands in front of you. Gently pull the towel forward and downward to support your head as you slowly extend your neck backward, looking up toward the ceiling. Use the towel for support—not force. Return to the starting position.
3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: towel)

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3 Ways to Practice Gratitude

Did you know that being grateful is actually good for your health? It’s true! 

We all love Thanksgiving for the excellent food, football, and time spent with family, but truthfully, this holiday means much more. Practicing gratitude can lead to greater happiness all year long. 

According to Harvard Health Publishing, ā€œGratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.ā€

If you want to implement more gratitude in your own life, take a look at these 3 tips. 

1. Write thank you letters

Remember writing thank you letters? How long has it been since you wrote one? You don’t need to have a wedding, graduation, or other big life event to thank the people in your life. Try writing thank you letters to your friends and family for the little things– you’ll be surprised at how good it feels!

2. Write down what you are grateful for every day

This might sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Take a few minutes each morning or evening to write down at least 3 things that you are grateful for in your life. This repeated action helps us shift into a more positive mindset and can help fight symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

3. Use visual reminders 

It can be hard to remember to practice gratitude. With your hectic schedule, sometimes it can feel impossible to sit down, take a moment to breathe, and reflect on your blessings. Visual cues can be a great tool for reminding us to take a beat. 

Something as simple as sticky notes, a poster, or even your home screen on your phone or laptop can help us remember to slow down and shift to a positive mindset.

Meet Our Team

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Dennis L. Prickett

PT, Owner, Chief of Operations

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Anthony Apodaca

PTA, Clinic Lead

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Anna Marie Robles

Customer Service Representative

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Monique Montoya

Customer Service Representative

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Leticia Guaderrama

Patient Account Specialist

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Philip Montoya

Office Assistant